he Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Religious School, known in Hebrew as the Beit Sefer, provides an innovative and engaging education for K-7^th graders, emphasizing Jewish tradition, Hebrew language and self-expression. It teaches how Jewish values underpin both religion and culture, and examines how Judaism continues to evolve, even today. The 2011–2012/5772 school year runs from September 11 through mid-May.

The Curriculum. The curriculum is tailored to how children best learn at different developmental stages. Thus the youngest class, the Ketanim (“little ones”)—K through 1^st or 2^nd grades—focuses on Torah stories, holidays, and learning the Hebrew aleph-bet (alphabet). At this age, the emphasis is on bringing stories alive through puppets and felt-board characters, songs and dances, and using movement. For instance, one of the ways in which the students learn the Hebrew letters is by creating them out of shapes made with their own bodies. Emphasis is also squarely placed on making friends and learning how to be a friend. The schedule includes time for snack and free play, too.

The next oldest class, the yeladim (“children”)—middle-elementary school-age—focuses on history, stories from Torah, Prophets and Writings (plus a few midrashim, or ancient tales which try to fill in some of Torah’s gaps, too), holidays in more depth, plus history. At this age, dramatic story-telling dominates, and children are encouraged to master what they learn by inventing creative ways of retelling, whether by story, song, art or drama. Sometimes, these creative productions show up during the Havurah’s other holiday celebrations!

The oldest class, the gedolim (“large ones”)—upper-elementary to pre-bar / bat mitzvah age—focuses on ethics, values, and in-depth intellectual engagement. This group might typically hold a mock trial to explore competing values, go “shopping” for competing ideas about the nature of life—and then discuss their choices, or struggle to find solutions to ethical dilemmas.

Learner’s Service. Students in the gedolim class also may start struggling to discover the personal meaning behind Jewish prayers. Especially because of the nearness of bar and bat mitzvah, these students begin to value the opportunity to figure out their own theological beliefs. The Havurah offers a 10-session Learner’s Service, held monthly on Shabbat mornings, which allows participants to actively engage with ideas about prayer, history, and the meaning of the Jewish service in depth. This is excellent preparation for emerging bar and bat mitzvah students, and is also highly rewarding for adult members. The Learner’s Service complements the student’s final year of Beit Sefer.

Madrichim (“Guides”) Program. High School students interested in helping out their younger compatriots can also serve as helpers in the Beit Sefer. Those interested should contact the Director for more information.

How This Fits with the Havurah. Community is a cherished value at the Reconstructionist Havurah. Thus, any opportunity to grow or strengthen community, whether within the Beit Sefer, or between the Beit Sefer and the Havurah, is nurtured. Thus classes sometimes learn to lead a prayer during Havurah services. The Beit Sefer students are given the opportunity to perform at some of the Havurah’s holiday celebrations. The relationship works in the reverse direction too, with Havurah members visiting the classroom on occasion, contributing their stories or their wisdom. And finally, Beit Sefer kids who attend Kabbalat Shabbat (Friday night) services typically sit at the informally-dubbed “kid’s table” during the post-service pot-luck, adjourning early to go play games (supervised) while their parents schmooze. It isn’t unusual for the parents to beg their children to go home at the end of the night!

Who can enroll? The Beit Sefer welcomes children of both member and non-member families. Families in which one parent is Jewish are also warmly welcomed. Classes are held at the Jewish Community Center on Sundays mornings, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., from September through May.

Schedule. A typical day at the Beit Sefer features roughly one hour of cultural /historical / religious learning, followed by an hour of Hebrew study. The two hours are bridged by 10 minutes of singing, led by Aura Ahuvia, not only the Beit Sefer’s director, but also a trained camp song leader!

The curriculum follows guidelines of the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, which focus on Hebrew cultural literacy, prayer and spirituality, Jewish living skills, celebrations, values, and peoplehood. The Hebrew curriculum, based on a highly successful workbook-based program, divides the children according to their level of literacy, instead of by age. Students advance according to level and ability, with the madrichim and teaching staff provide one-on-one Hebrew help as needed. Our ideal is for the students to be studying at their learning edge.

The school offers tuition discounts to Havurah members and families enrolling more than one child. The 2011–2012/5772 school year runs from September 11 through mid-May.

For more information about the Beit Sefer, contact Aura Ahuvia & Brian Duchemin.